Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR the first time, the Karate One Youth League took place on the African continent with Zimbabwe staging the competition, a development that has left hosts’ national coach Winston Nyanhete purring and also describing it as an eye-opener.
The World Karate Federation competition which ended in Harare last Sunday, targets young and upcoming karatekas under the age of 21.
It attracted 201 participants from 35 countries.
Nyanhete is the Zimbabwe National Karate Federation head coach and says they all had something to learn, from the athletes, coaches and the local mother body.
“This was an eye-opener for those athletes who were not competing, be they senior or junior, who were there to watch.
“Everyone learnt a lot from the coaches, we learnt a lot, not just the athletes. This is the first time our coaches got to coach at this level . . . Referees learnt a lot, so it was a real eye-opener for the whole organisation.
“From the admin side, these guys did a spectacular job,” said Nyanhete.
Some of the key takeaways include organisation of such competitions, time and athletes’ management going into competition among other things.
“This was a higher-level organised tournament. As a rule, we were told to be at the venue by 7:30am because the competition starts at 9am.
“These are the things that most coaches wouldn’t know at regional level. People want to arrive at the time when the competition is about to start.
“At world level, if they say the tournament starts at 9am, you have to be at the venue by 7.30am so that your athletes are ready and prepared.
“Athletes are in the warm-up area; people get called up 30 minutes prior to being introduced into the arena. As a coach, you need to balance that.
“Most competitions, like the regional ones, are more relaxed. The Africa Championships, it’s closer — but this was more technical.”
Zimbabwe picked 11 medals — three silver and eight bronze.
With the country preparing for participation at the Regional Championships in Angola pencilled for May, they would want to maintain the momentum.
“These are young athletes. Some did a huge jump. They have never competed at a continental level.
“Most have seen regional levels, and for them to hold it together like that and get medals, that made me very happy.
“I think in six weeks we will be in Angola. From here, we don’t want to drop the momentum. We want to pick up the momentum,” added Nyanhete.
The seasoned coach, however, would want to see improvement on the mental side for most of the young karatekas.
